KARACHI, March 17: Experts from all SAARC member countries including newly inducted Afghanistan, and China and Japan, extended observer status, will attend the SAARC Congress of Cardiology 2006 to be held in Karachi from March 31 to April 2.

The Chairman of the Congress’ Organizing Committee, Prof Ejaz Vohra, SAARC Cardiac Society’s President, Prof Mansoor Ahmed, Secretary SAARC Congress Dr Addul Rasheed Khan, Chairman, Scientific Committee Prof Mohammad Ishaq at a press conference on Friday said professionals of international repute from across the South Asian region would be attending the event.

The theme of the Congress “How to Prevent Cardiovascular Diseases” has particularly been chosen due its alarming proportion in the region, emerging second common cause of death, next only to trauma/accidents, the experts said.

They acknowledged that no well established data was available regarding the exact prevalence of CVDs in Pakistan, adding that hypertension, a major contributory factor for CVD was estimated to effect 30 per cent of the local population – 18 per cent being confirmed hypertensive.

It was also mentioned with concern that only three per cent of the hypertensive individuals were on regular medication or drug therapy for controlling high blood pressure and protecting themselves against associated risks.

The three-day event is mainly aimed at raising awareness among general physicians and also for sensitizing the masses on how to prevent the ailment.

Answering a question, Dr Abdul Rashid said conformation had been received from all SAARC member countries including Afghanistan; however, this was as yet awaited from Japan and China.

Experts from India to attend the moot include Dr Anil Kumar, Dr Vivek Gupta, Dr Upendra Kaur, Dr Balaram Raghev and Dr Ashok Seth.

Dr Mehmood Ali, Dr Shaif Mujamdar and Dr Mohibullah from Bangladesh; Dr Santha Raj, Dr S I Stephen and Dr Fernandes from Sri Lanka; and Dr A P Opadhaya from Nepal will attend the congress along with 100s of Pakistani medical professionals from all over the country.—APP